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Drexel University Mistakenly Congratulates The Rejected

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Drexel University in Philadelphia is apologizing to hundreds of applicants who were denied admission but then mistakenly received follow-up emails congratulating them on getting in.

The university says the follow-up emails were intended only for admitted students. Though they contained a congratulatory note, their purpose was to remind the admitted students about a reply deadline.

The emails went out in error to 495 students who had been denied admission to Drexel or submitted incomplete applications.

Seventeen-year-old Tearra Bookard told WTXF-TV the email came three weeks after she was denied admission. She immediately told friends and family the good news only to find out seven hours later it was a mistake. She calls it a "slap in the face."

In 1994, the university mistakenly sent early acceptance letters to 25 students.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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